A man sets himself on fire during a protest against Abe's state funeral

 A man sets himself on fire during a protest against Abe's state funeral

A man set himself on fire to protest the state funeral of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The incident took place near the Prime Minister's office in Tokyo on Wednesday (September 21) local time. A state funeral for Shinzo Abe is scheduled for next week. Guardian news.

According to media reports, the person informed the police in front of the Prime Minister's office in Tokyo and poured oil on himself and set himself on fire. Various parts of his body were burnt. Later, the person was rescued and taken to the hospital.

A man set himself on fire while standing on the street in Tokyo's Kasumigaseki district, a Tokyo fire brigade official said.

Police said that the matter is sensitive and as the motive of the person is not certain, it is not possible to reveal his identity.

A note written by the man was found near the scene. It read, 'Personally, I am totally against Abe's funeral.'

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is currently in New York. He is there to attend the annual meeting of the United Nations General Assembly.

Abe's state funeral has sparked outrage among most Japanese. Such funeral arrangements are rare in Japan. But Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Abe was Japan's longest-serving leader since World War II and deserved the honor for his diplomatic and economic achievements.

It is known that the Japanese government has announced to spend 140 million yen for state funerals.

Political opponents say Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is seeking to strengthen his position by showing sympathy for Shinzo Abe and gaining the support of his followers.

Abe was Japan's longest-serving prime minister. He served as Prime Minister for two terms from 2006 to 2007 and from 2012 to 2020. While in this political power, which took Tokyo's relations with the Western countries to a unique height, he went a long way towards strengthening the country's economy as well as making Japan a world power again. He remained active in politics even after leaving the Prime Ministership due to health reasons.

Abe, 67, resigned in 2020. Although not a candidate himself, he was campaigning on behalf of other members of his party, the Liberal Democratic Party.